GoPro Gore IV Kayak Challenge
CLASS IS IN SESSION
Four miles of Class IV creek. Who will come out a champion? Kayakers will sprint west down the Gore Creek, hoping to paddle their way to the top of the pack to secure a gnarly payout and prize package.
10:00 AM
Want to be in the know? Join our email list to get the latest Mountain Games news right at your fingertips.
The official camera partner of the GoPro Mountain Games.
Event Overview
friday, JUNE 6
As its name implies, the GoPro Gore IV Kayak Challenge is a 4 mile down river time trial through the Class IV playground of lower Gore Creek west of the International Bridge. This competition is geared toward Class IV kayakers who love a good ol’ sprint to the finish. Do you have the skills and speed to be crowned our Gore IV champion?
Times
friday, JUNE 6
10:00 AM
Rules
CATEGORIES:
Open – Men
Open – Women
Nonbinary
*Minimum age to compete is 14 years old based on the athlete’s age at the end of the calendar year on Dec 31, 2025.
mandatory equipment:
- BOATS/KAYAKS
- Open – Men & Women: Boats may not exceed 9.5’ in length. All boats will be measured at the start of the race.
- Whitewater-specific plastic kayaks only.
- Boats must be plastic, production whitewater creek boats with bulkhead footrests and appropriate grab-handles.
- Pre-production, modified or non-creek specific boats within the standards of modern creek-specific designs may be allowed, but only with prior approval of the Race Directors.
- If in doubt about your boat, ask Race Directors at least 24 hours in advance of the competition.
additional equiptment:
- Unsafe or excessively used equipment (e.g: excessively worn PFDs, unsuitable helmets, damaged boats, spray skirts with holes, inadequate footwear etc.) may be deemed unsuitable.
- Athletes must wear their competitor bib outside their PFD at all times.
- Bibs will be collected after the race
- Rescue-certified PFDs
- Helmet
- Protective footwear
- Dry-top
- Paddling jacket or wetsuit
- Float bag
- Throw bags
- Equipment will be reviewed at check-in. The Race Director has the right to refuse any non-conforming equipment (e.g. bicycle helmets, nylon spray skirts, etc.).
COURSE:
- The GoPro Gore IV Kayak Challenge is for Class IV kayakers.
- The course is on Gore Creek and is approximately 4 miles long. All competitors must have successfully navigated the course, at the current water levels, prior to the competition.
- Please obey all no access and trespassing signage. This race runs through private property. Please respect the areas surrounding this race.
- All athletes should be aware that all competitions take place in mountain rivers which may have challenging conditions such as underwater obstacles, unseen hazards, rocks, debris and vegetation.
FORMAT, RULES & INFORMATION:
- Athletes must arrive at the put-in 45 minutes before the race start to check in, complete gear check, attend the mandatory safety meeting, receive their start times and pick up their competition bib.
- Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively struggling and/or swimming will be pulled from the course by the safety team. Paddlers who lose their gear and exit the river will receive a DNF.
- If a paddler is being overtaken by another “faster” paddler from behind, they must yield to the faster/overtaking paddler in a safe and respectful manner. This will not affect a penalty or DQ unless the paddler being overtaken uses blocking or any kind of unsporting conduct.
- The race is run in time trial format.
- Final race rules and format will be available during the safety meeting.
- Event organizers and whitewater rescue teams are not responsible for equipment rescue and/or equipment removal from the GoPro Mountain Games whitewater courses should athletes lose their equipment during practice or competition.
- Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
- CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. Prior to participation, please ensure your river gear is CLEAN of plants, mud, and debris; DRAINED of standing water; and completely DRY before your competition. Following these CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY steps and getting all watercraft properly inspected helps to protect the waters we paddle from aquatic invasive species. Learn more at cleanboater.org.
BOAT SHUTTLE INFO:
- Organizers will shuttle boats from the finish at Stephens Park to International Bridge following the race.
RACE START INFO:
- The race starts at International Bridge in BFGoodrich Gear Town.
DIRECTIONS TO TAKE OUT:
- From Vail Village: head west on South Frontage Road about three and a half (3.5) miles. Turn left into Stephens Park parking area.
Price & Prizes
PRICE
EARLY BIRD PRICING // February 5 – April 1, 2025
$45
STANDARD PRICING // April 2 – May 27, 2025
$50
FOMO PRICING // May 28 – June 5, 2025
$65
PAYOUT
total prize purse: $5,200
OPEN
MEN
1st – $1,000
2nd – $750
3rd – $500
4th – $250
5th – $100
WOMEN
1st – $1,000
2nd – $750
3rd – $500
4th – $250
5th – $100
PRIZES:
Prizes to be determined.
